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Sherwin-Williams Opens Store In Ruskin

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: March 18, 2009

RUSKIN - With the economy floundering, some businesses struggle to keep their doors open, let alone expand. Bucking a trend to stall further growth, Sherwin-Williams recently opened a new retail store at 712 U.S. 41 N., its first in the community.

"The company has always taken the long view in terms of investing in our people, our technology and our customers," said Mike Conway, corporate director of communications. "With that mindset, Sherwin-Williams will keep investing for the future, as it has done for the past 143 years."

Conway added that last year, nationwide, the company opened 100 new paint stores - one every three days. The Ruskin store is one of 33 in a five-county area surrounding Tampa.

Manager Daniel Drohan said the 6,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse opened Feb. 18. Members of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce gathered there for the grand opening.

"We've had a great response so far," he said. "We're already beginning to show numbers comparable to other Sherwin-Williams stores of this size."

In addition to a large variety of paints and paint accessories for contractors and do-it-yourselfers and a preferred customer program that offers discounts on every purchase, the store has a home decor section with wallpaper books to peruse and take home.

But it is customer service that separates Sherwin-Williams from its big-box competitors, Drohan said.

"When you come to any Sherwin Williams, you have a neighborly experience," he continued. "In this store, you deal with one of three people who truly know paint and how to use it. When you go somewhere else, you may end up dealing with someone who just assisted someone in hardware or gardening."

Drohan said he and his staff will visit a customer's home or business to discuss a paint problem. The store can match the tints and colors of any competitor, and all products come with a satisfaction guarantee.

"The strangest request I've ever had was to match the color of a pet's fur."

That's just what customers look for, he said.

"I think their service is terrific," said Clara Rafinski of Sun City Center. "They're very knowledgeable and helpful. I've used their products over the years."

Drohan said Sherwin-Williams had the Ruskin store in its plans for years, anticipating further development in a market needing its products and services.

"I'm excited to manage this store, and I look forward to working with the people in this community."

The store is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. It will soon host faux painting classes on topics such as color washing, ragging, sponging and more on Saturday afternoons. The cost will be $10, which will apply to any purchase.

Founded by Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams in 1866, Sherwin-Williams has almost 3,400 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago and the Virgin Islands. The company is based in Cleveland.

For information, call (813) 641-2359 or visit www .sherwinwilliams.com.

Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553. To view additional photos, go to south shore.tbo.com and enter the search words Sherwin Williams.

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